Empire State Building, New York

The building envelope is the first line of defense, protecting the structure and its occupants from wind, rain, frost, humidity, and temperature variations while maintaining interior comfort throughout its operating life. Failure may be as obvious as water infiltration, cracks, bulges or collapses, or as subtle as energy inefficiency and user discomfort. We determine root causes through probes and tests, develop customized repair options responsive to the client’s constraints, and provide on-site technical support during the rehabilitation. Our expertise covers all material types and building vintages, and includes the design of re-cladding and over-cladding solutions.

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Archstone Clinton Building, New York
Ed Eckstein photo

Architects are continually pushing technologies with thinner, more ethereal, and faceted designs becoming the norm. Skin designs have evolved to meet new geometric complexities, while also being crafted to meet unique local conditions within demanding schedule, budget constraints, and performance requirements as well as sustainability objectives. We have more than 30 years of international experience in sophisticated exterior wall design, engineering, testing, and construction for commercial, residential, and institutional clients. We collaborate closely with architects, developers, and manufacturers to synthesize innovative design solutions that optimize performance and anticipate constructability. We then provide technical support, diagnostics, and quality reviews throughout the testing, fabrication, and erection.

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Wrigley Building, Chicago

Building owners and managers ask us to evaluate the physical condition of their property portfolio for a variety of reasons. One condition assessment may have a narrow focus, investigating a particular area or a particular envelope component that has failed, deteriorated or performed poorly. Another study may encompass a broad evaluation of building envelope performance and integrity. Condition assessments can include materials evaluation, life-cycle analysis, and the development of technically appropriate and cost-effective repair strategies.

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AT&T and USG Buildings, Chicago

We evaluate and report on the physical condition of a property to determine potential short-term and long-term financial exposure related to building envelope repairs, maintenance and improvements – including energy performance upgrades. This is of great interest to current and potential building owners, developers, lenders, and insurance carriers. Due diligence assessments may focus on a particular portion of the envelope that has failed, deteriorated or performed poorly, or may encompass an overall evaluation of the building’s envelope systems. Our expertise comes from a long history of performing structural condition evaluations and failure investigations on a variety of building types, ages and construction systems.

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Sheraton Manhattan Hotel, New York

We assist owners and developers in evaluating potential alterations and improvements to building envelopes. A building envelope feasibility study may include evaluating the structural and performance implications of proposed re-cladding schemes, developing strategies for energy upgrades, and identifying the extent of required code upgrades with corresponding cost and schedule impacts. We graphically illustrate the relative merits of the options to facilitate decision making. Our expertise is founded on a long history of building evaluations, and innovative skin and structural designs.

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